The shocker prompted former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar to quip that Mignolet was "worse than Dracula on crosses".

But Rodgers still looks set to field his under-fire keeper for Stoke's visit to Anfield on Saturday, as doubts persist over understudy Brad Jones.

"I will say to him that as a goalkeeper you have to let those things go and refocus again," said Rodgers of Mignolet's confidence sapping mistake.

Despite the draw, Liverpool left Bulgaria with their Champions League destiny still in their hands

But Rodgers conceded blowing their lead was "a massive setback to the team".

Admitting he has little choice other than to try and boost Mignolet's flagging self belief, Rodgers added: "It was one where you just need to keep his confidence as high as we can, look to the weekend and try to keep a clean sheet."

BLOWN IT: Dani Abalo capitalises on Simon Mignolet's blunder [EPA]

“As a goalkeeper you have to let those things go and refocus again”

Brendan Rodgers

Mignolet's Liverpool career has gone backwards since he was mobbed by his teammates on the opening day of last season following a heroic performance against Stoke.

The £9m signing from Sunderland dived to deny John Walters from the penalty spot to preserve his side's 1-0 lead as Liverpool set off on a superb title chasing campaign.

Rodgers' failure to land Michel Vorm in the summer - the Dutch keeper opted for a move to Spurs over Liverpool - and his unwillingness to take a risk on the fitness of former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes means Jones is the only real competition for Mignolet's starting place.

Liverpool lost just four times with Jones between the sticks in 15 appearances during Rodgers' first season in charge.

But since failing to deal with a routine cross in the FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Oldham in January last year, Jones has featured just six times and only once this season.